'Schettino solely responsible for wreck' says Costa probe

Shipwreck captain on trial for multiple manslaughter

(ANSA) - Grosseto, March 10 - Former Costa Cruises CEO Pier
Luigi Foschi told a court Monday that an internal company
investigation found former captain Francesco Schettino to be
solely responsible for the January 13, 2012, Costa Concordia
shipwreck off Italy's Giglio island that left 32 people dead.

Schettino has been on trial since July on charges of
multiple manslaughter, dereliction of duty and damage to the
environment.
"The company found the response time on board to be
inadequate," Foschi told the court.

Also on Monday, former Costa Cruises managing director
Giovanni Onorato testified that a 2008 job evaluation found
Schettino had insufficient leadership skills, and was severely
lacking "in the ability to communicate information to company
management".

"I imagine Schettino was urged at the time to be more
transparent when communicating with his crew members and with
the company," Onorato told the court.

The Costa Concordia ran aground and capsized just meters
off the coast with 4,229 people on board, including 3,200
tourists, when Schettino ordered the ship to sail close to the
island to perform a risky salute that led to Italy's
worst postwar maritime disaster.
Schettino's five co-defendants received sentences of less
than three years after a plea-bargain.
Schettino has refused to plead, proclaiming his innocence.